Higher-Education Teaching & Research Support: Ohio University is rolling out a hybrid “From Scholarly Teaching to Research” faculty certification, plus a self-paced Library Tutorial on Canvas Commons that covers research skills and responsible AI use. Student Outcomes & Equity: New data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows New York’s 2018 cohort completion rate for Black students at 46.4% by 2024, with similar state-by-state reporting highlighting persistent gaps. Campus Learning Models: One university described shifting 40+ courses to hybrid formats to cut costs while keeping learning support, including faculty workshops and recorded training. Research Funding & Infrastructure: Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar launched competitive “accelerator” grants to boost high-impact faculty research, while the University of Wyoming received a $14.8M NSF grant to operate and maintain a new King Air atmospheric research aircraft. AI in Education & Safety: Studies and reporting point to AI risks—from sycophancy that can mislead in high-stakes settings to new tactics students use to evade detection. Public Health & Environment: Separate research reports link microplastics to higher detection rates in lung cancer patients’ samples, and a German study found a soil enzyme that can break down plant-based bioplastics and even neutralize certain antibiotics.